The Chargers knew Gaither was a risk but felt they had to take it. This year, that wouldn’t be the case.

There could be as many as a half dozen starting left tackles available in free agency, a relative glut in the market.

Ryan Clady is reportedly going to receive the franchise tag from Denver. But Branden Albert is not guaranteed to remain in Kansas City, and Sam Baker could move on from Atlanta. Jake Long is considered a luxury in Miami, and the Giants have yet to follow through on their reported plan to re-sign Will Beatty.

For the same reason teams could be willing to part with decent-to-excellent left tackles – that being, the quality available in the draft – teams like the Chargers have more options.

Should those named above return to their former employers – because, even with the draft being rich, it’s difficult to imagine teams allowing proven left tackles to walk away – there are more veteran options.